Multilayered, insulated fluid tank and structure

ABSTRACT

A multilayered, insulated fluid tank having supporting elements for maintaining the tank spaced from the structure and holding elements for attaching the multilayers of the tank one to the other and yet provide for some movement of the tank. Elongated attaching elements attach the various tank sections together to provide a continuous interior surface.

United States Patent 1191 Kleinmann Feb. 26, 1974 MULTILAYERED,INSULATED FLUID 3,648,879 3/1972 Jackson 220/9 LG TANK AND STRUCTURE3,547,302 12/1970 Jackson et al. 114/74 A X 3,147,728 9/1964 Ishii eta]. ll4/74 R [7 Inventor: Earl Klemmann, Bartlesvllle, 2,738,749 3/1956Macy etal. 114/74 R Okla.

[73] Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company, Primary Examiner Duane RegerBartlesvlne Okla Assistant Examiner-Randolph A. Reese [22] Filed: Jan.29, 1973 [21] A 1. No.: 327 736 pp 57 ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. [14/74 A,220/9 LG, 220/15 A muitiiayei-ed insulated fluid tank having supporting[51] Int. Cl 1363b 25/16 elements for maintaining the tank Spaced fromthe [58] Fleld of Search 1 14/74 74 65 72; structure and holdingelements for attaching the multi- 220/9 L61 9 10, 1 14, 15; 248/146,layers of the tank one to the other and yet provide for 1; 49/413 1 somemovement of the tank. Elongated attaching elements attach the varioustank sections together to pro- References C'ted vide a continuousinterior surface.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,692,205 9/1972 Cowles et a1. 114/74 A X 10Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 1 J ZS PATENTED F5526 F974 3. 793 9 76 SHEET1 0F 3 PATENTEU FEBZS I974 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 3

FIG. 4

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FIG. 6

MULTILAYERED, INSULATED FLUID TANK AND STRUCTURE This invention relatesto a fluid containment system. In one aspect, it relates to a fluidcontainment system especially adapted for containing cold liquids inliquid transport ships.

In providing storage tanks for use in the maritime transport ofliquefied natural gas, three important considerations are: safefluid-tight storage space, adequate thermal insulation to minimizeboiling of the stored product and to protect the ships structure fromexposure to extreme cold, and cost of construction. An object of thepresent invention is to provide safe, fluidtight storage space, withadequate thermal insulation, at reasonable cost.

This invention, therefore, resides in insulating an impervious memberforming a multilayered, insulated fluid tank, means for connecting thelayers one to the other, and maintaining the tank spaced from astructure such as a ship hull, for example.

. Other objects and the several advantages of the invention will beapparent from a study of the disclosure, the drawing, and the appendedclaims.

The drawings are diagrammatic views of the apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a ship having fluid tanks therein,

FIG. 2 is a plan view in partial section of the ship and the fluidtanks,

FIG. 3 shows a partial sectional view of the multiple layers of a tankand a connecting element,

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the connecting element,

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the connecting element,

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the connecting element of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 shows a partial sectional view of an attaching element,

FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a portion of the attaching element,

FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of the supporting elements, and

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the supporting elements.

Referring to FIGS. I and 2, a structure 2 such as the hull or otherportions of an ocean-going tanker ship, for example, has an innersurface 4. The multilayered, insulated tank 6 is attached to the innersurface 4 of the structure 2 and is spaced from said inner surface 4.Insulating material 8, such a perlite, for example, is positioned in thespace between the tank 6 and the structure 2. There can also be morethan one tank 6 per ship.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a plurality of elongated supportingelements 10, each having adjacent sides l2, 14, are formed of materialwhich has a low conductivity of heat, and are connected to the innersurface 4 of structure 2 andmaintained at locations spaced preselecteddistances one from the other and from the inner surface 4. An example ofthe elongated supporting elements would be wooden beams.

The spacing of supporting elements 10 from one another depends on thesize of the materials utilized for forming the multiple layers of thetank 6. Once these dimensions have been established, one skilled in theart can determine the desirable spacing between elements 10 to assuresufficient support of the tank 6.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the supporting elements 10 can be placed inparallel rows of elements, gridworks, or other layouts to providedesirable support.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the supporting elements 10 are connected tothe structure 2 and maintained spaced therefrom by, for example,elongated beams I6 or by other means known in the art. In one exampleconnection, one end of the beam 16 is welded to the inner surface 4 ofthe structure 2 and the other end is fixed to a respective supportingelement 10. FIG. 4 shows the beam 16 nailed or bolted to the supportingelement 10. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment where the beam 16 isconnected to a supporting element 10 which in turn is connected to theconnecting element 18.

Referring to FIGS. 36, the connecting element 18 has at least first andsecond portions 20, 22 and a multiple-flanged holding element 24 havinga core 26. Each connecting element 18 is positioned at a preselectedlocation on a respective supporting element 10 with the first and secondportions 20, 22 contacting adjacent sides l2, 14 of the element I0, andis fixedly attached to said supporting element 10 with its respectivecore 26 oriented in a direction from the adjacent inner surface 4 of thestructure 2 toward the tank 6. Holding element 24 has at least first andsecond spaced-apart flanges 28, 30 extending generally perpendicularlyoutwardly from the core 26 forming at least first and second slots 32,34 extending annularly about the core 26.

The holding element 24 is preferably formed of metal. One example wouldbe washers forming the flanges 28, 30 with said washers being welded toa metal pin which forms a core 26 and which in turn is welded to, forexample, the second portion of the connecting element 18.

Referring to FIG. 3, first rigid wall members 36, for example wood,preferably plywood sheets, are positioned in first slots 32 ofrespective holding elements 24 for forming an insulating first,outermost layer 38 of the tank 6. First membrane or Invar metal members40 are positioned in first slots 32 of respective flanged elements 24 ata location adjacent and inboard of the first layer 38 and are sealablyconnected one to others and to the respective second flanges 28 forforming an impervious second layer 42 of the tank 6. Second rigid wallmembers 44, for example wood members, like members 36, are positioned insecond slots 34 of respective holding elements 24 at a location adjacentand inboard of the second layer for forming an insulating third layer 46of the tank 6. Second Invar metal members 48 are positioned adjacent andinboard the third layer 46, covering the connecting elements 18, and aresealably connected one to others for forming an impervious fourth layer50 of the tank 6. As known in the art, the membrane Invar metal members48 can be butted or overlapped and welded together. It should also beunderstood that Invar metal members are used for illustrative purposesand that other membrane members which have a low coefficient ofexpansion can be used.

FIG. 7 shows a preferred method of connecting the Invar metal members 40and 48. In this preferred embodiment, the first and second membranemembers 40, 48 have edge portions 52 which are disposed about no... .Ia.

relative to the body of the member. These edge portions 52 in theinstalled position are preferably directed toward the inside of the tankbeing formed. Elongated attaching elements 54 are utilized for sealablyattaching the second membrane members 48 together and maintaining thesecond rigid wall members relative to the associated second membranemembers 48.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the attaching elements 54 have first, secondand third portions 56, 58 and 60. The first portion 56 extends betweenthe edge portions 52 of the second lnvar members 48 and is sealablyconnected thereto by welding, for example. The second portion 58 extendsfrom the first portion 56, over the edge portion 52 of an adjacent firstlnvar member 40, and extends a distance between said adjacent firstlnvar member 40 and its associated second rigid wall member 44. Thethird portion 60 extends from the first portion 56, over the edgeportion of another adjacent first lnvar member 40, and extends adistance between said other adjacent first lnvar member 40 and itsassociated second rigid wall member 44. As shown in FIG. 8, theattaching element 54 can be easily formed from a metal sheetstock bycutting and bending same to form the second and third portions thereof.

In order to further increase their sturdiness, the first rigid wallmembers 36 can be connected to respective elongated supporting elements10 along the length thereof by pins 62 or nails, for example.

By forming and securing the tank as set forth above, the multiple layersforming the tank are maintained at their desired position yet providefor some movement during movement of the structure 2 in roughweather,thereby preventing damage to'the tank 6.

The layers 38, 42, 46 and 50 of the tank 6 contact one another oversubstantially their entire face surface areas to provide rigidity, yetthe various layers can move independently to avoid damage to the tankand- /or the ship structure which might result in the waste of valuableproduct contained therein.

Reasonable variations or modifications can be made, or followed, in viewof the foregoing disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scopethereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a structure having an inner surface, amultiple-layered, insulated fluid tank, comprising:

a plurality of elongated supporting elements each having adjacent sidesand being of a low heatconducting material;

means for connecting the elongated supporting elements to the innersurface of the structure and maintaining said elements spaced one fromthe other and from said inner surface; plurality of connecting elementseach having at least first and second portions and a multipleflangedholding element having a core, said connecting elements each beingpositioned at preselected locations on a respective elongated supportingelement with the first and second portions contacting adjacent sides ofand being attached to said supporting element with said core beingoriented in a direction from the inner surface of said structure andsaid multiple-flanged holding elements having at least first and secondspaced-apart flanges each extending generally perpendicularly outwardlyfrom the core and forming at least first and second slots;

a plurality of first rigid wall members each positioned in first slotsof respective flanged holding elements forming an insulating first layerof the tank;

a plurality of first membrane members positioned in first slots ofrespective flanged elements spaced inwardly from the first layer andbeing sealably connected one to another and to respective second flangesfor forming an impervious second layer of the tank;

a plurality of second rigid wall members each positioned in second slotsof respective flanged holding elements spaced inwardly from the secondlayer for forming an insulating third layer of the tank; and

a plurality of second membrane members positioned within the thirdlayer, covering the connecting elements, and being sealably connectedone to another for forming an impervious fourth layer of the tank.

2. The combination of claim 1 including means connecting the first rigidwall members to respective elongated supporting elements at preselectedlocations along the length of said supporting elements.

3. The combination of claim 1 including insulating material positionedin a space between the first layer of the tank and the structure.

4. The combination, as set forth in claim I, wherein the first andsecond rigid wall members are formed of wood.

5. The combination, as set forth in claim I, wherein the elongatedsupporting elements are formed of wood.

6. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connectingelements encompass the elongated supporting elements.

7. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, including said firstmembrane members having edge portions extending toward adjacent secondmembrane members and said adjacent second membrane members having edgeportions directed in a common direction as said edge portions of theadjacent first membrane members; and a plurality of elongated attachingelements having first, second and third portions, said first portionextending between edge portions of second membrane members and beingsealably connected thereto, said second portion extending from the firstportion over the edge portion of an adjacent first membrane member, andextending a distance between said first membrane member and itsassociated second rigid wall member, said third portion extending fromthe first portion, over the edge portion of another adjacent firstmembrane member, and extending a distance between said other adjacentfirst membrane member and its associated second rigid wall member forsealably attaching theelongated attaching elements to the secondmembrane members and maintaining the second rigid wall members relativeto the associated second membrane members.

8. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, including a secondplurality of elongated supporting elements each having adjacent sides,being of a low heatconducting material, and being spaced one from theother and oriented generally perpendicularly relative to the firstplurality of elongated supporting elements, said second plurality ofelongated supporting elements being associated with and connected to theassociated elements of the fluid tank of said first plurality ofsupporting elements.

10. The combination, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the contactingassociated members each contact one another over substantially an entireface surface of each.

1. In combination with a structure having an inner surface, amultiple-layered, insulated fluid tank, comprising: a plurality ofelongated supporting elements each having adjacent sides and being of alow heat-conducting material; means for connecting the elongatedsupporting elements to the inner surface of the structure andmaintaining said elements spaced one from the other and from said innersurface; a plurality of connecting elements each having at least firstand second portions and a multiple-flanged holding element having acore, said connecting elements each being positioned at preselectedlocations on a respective elongated supporting element with the firstand second portions contacting adjacent sides of and being attached tosaid supporting element with said core being oriented in a directionfrom the inner surface of said structure and said multiple-flangedholding elements having at least first and second spaced-apart flangeseach extending generally perpendicularly outwardly from the core andforming at least first and second slots; a plurality of first rigid wallmembers each positioned in first slots of respective flanged holdingelements forming an insulating first layer of the tank; a plurality offirst membrane members positioned in first slots of respective flangedelements spaced inwardly from the first layer and being sealablyconnected one to another and to respective second flanges for forming animpervious second layer of the tank; a plurality of second rigid wallmembers each positioned in second slots of respective flanged holdingelements spaced inwardly from the second layer for forming an insulatingthird layer of the tank; and a plurality of second membrane memberspositioned within the third layer, covering the connecting elements, andbeing sealably connected one to another for forming an impervious fourthlayer of the tank.
 2. The combination of claim 1 including meansconnecting the first rigid wall members to respective elongatedsupporting elements at preselected locations along the length of saidsupporting elements.
 3. The combination of claim 1 including insulatingmaterial positioned in a space between the first layer of the tank andthe structure.
 4. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, wherein thefirst and second rigid wall members are formed of wood.
 5. Thecombination, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongated supportIngelements are formed of wood.
 6. The combination, as set forth in claim1, wherein the connecting elements encompass the elongated supportingelements.
 7. The combination, as set forth in claim 1, including saidfirst membrane members having edge portions extending toward adjacentsecond membrane members and said adjacent second membrane members havingedge portions directed in a common direction as said edge portions ofthe adjacent first membrane members; and a plurality of elongatedattaching elements having first, second and third portions, said firstportion extending between edge portions of second membrane members andbeing sealably connected thereto, said second portion extending from thefirst portion over the edge portion of an adjacent first membranemember, and extending a distance between said first membrane member andits associated second rigid wall member, said third portion extendingfrom the first portion, over the edge portion of another adjacent firstmembrane member, and extending a distance between said other adjacentfirst membrane member and its associated second rigid wall member forsealably attaching the elongated attaching elements to the secondmembrane members and maintaining the second rigid wall members relativeto the associated second membrane members.
 8. The combination, as setforth in claim 1, including a second plurality of elongated supportingelements each having adjacent sides, being of a low heat-conductingmaterial, and being spaced one from the other and oriented generallyperpendicularly relative to the first plurality of elongated supportingelements, said second plurality of elongated supporting elements beingassociated with and connected to the associated elements of the fluidtank of said first plurality of supporting elements.
 9. The combination,as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first membrane members are incontact with associated first and second rigid wall members and thesecond rigid wall members are each in contact with associated first andsecond membrane members.
 10. The combination, as set forth in claim 9,wherein the contacting associated members each contact one another oversubstantially an entire face surface of each.